12 Best Japanese Restaurants in Kailua Kona

“We had our best Sushi ever 🇯🇵 😀👍“

“Absolutely yummy first stop on our trip so glad we stopped“

“Yama Sushi just earned its place as my favorite restaurant in Kona! BY FAR, the BEST food and service in the area. I dropped in to place an order for takeout, and a sweet young lady immediately met me at the door, seated me, and presented me with menus and a tumbler of ice water. The menu was exciting with a great variety of Asian specialties and beautiful looking desserts. The vibe was casual, yet classy. My order was ready in under 15 minutes and the young lady even held the door for me on the way out. I got the Spicy Garlic Shrimp lunch special. This was the tastiest shrimp dish I've ever eaten! Shrimps were fluffy and moist. They were seared in a spicy, tangy, sweet sauce that made the flavor and texture perfect. It came with a finely shredded cabbage salad that had a delightfully sweet dressing. The miso soup was very authentic with deep, rich flavors. Even the white rice had me wondering how they cooked it so perfectly! Mahalo, Yama Sushi for serving me a meal that deserves way more than five stars and for treating me like a VIP. I will definitely be back soon!“

“Great service! Yummy food! Never disappoints!“

“Aloha amazing amazing food and service. The clam chowder is a must and Tempura anything- you can't go wrong. Mahalo Chef Ron.“

“Love their signature Boneless Chicken Thighs and their potato salad too! 👍👍“

“The staff are wonderful & their food is incredible.“

“Our server Angel was amazing! Super friendly, prompt and engaging!“

“Sushi Sam was outstanding and easily one of the better sushi meals I’ve had in a long time.

What stood out right away was the quality of the fish. Everything looked pristine the moment it hit the table, and that first impression carried through the entire meal. The nigiri was beautifully cut, clean, delicate and incredibly fresh. This is the kind of place where the ingredients do the heavy lifting because they are that good, and the kitchen is smart enough not to overcomplicate things.

We had a range of nigiri, hand rolls and small plates, and everything felt thoughtful and well executed. The fish had real texture and flavor, the rice was right, and the balance in each bite was exactly what you want. A few dishes had a little more flair in presentation, but nothing felt forced or gimmicky. It all still came back to freshness, restraint and quality.

I also appreciated that Sushi Sam does not try to be trendy for the sake of it. It is not one of those places leaning on atmosphere or social media appeal to make up for average food. This place actually delivers where it matters. The menu is strong, the execution is consistent, and there is a quiet confidence to the whole experience.

The service was another big plus. Warm, easy, attentive and professional without being stiff. Everything moved smoothly, dishes came out well paced, and the meal felt relaxed in the best way.

There are plenty of sushi places that are flashy, expensive, or trying hard to be the next big thing. Sushi Sam felt more grounded than that. Just really good sushi, very fresh fish, careful preparation and a restaurant that clearly takes pride in what it serves.

I would absolutely go back and would recommend it without hesitation.“

“My husband got a ninja star roll and said this was some of the best sushi he’s ever had. The wait time said 2 hours when we first walked up, but we only got the 1 roll and only waited maybe 10 minutes, so we were really happy about that.

Definitely a must try when in Kona!“

“Best Asian ribs and sushi ever!“

“This is AUTHENTIC Japanese conveyor sushi! The food was fresh, delicious, and filling. The service was prompt and friendly. The atmosphere was clean, easy to talk in, and brite. Ordering was easy and the bullet train conveyor was super fun.“